Valentine Cupcakes, Hiking, and the Zoo!

Maliana ~

After I posted last week’s blog (I got it done early on Sunday afternoon, can you believe it?) we decided to go for a family walk in the snow before cuddling up for the night. We made it to the park before sunset and you even played on the jungle gym for a bit. A little ice and snow wasn’t going to stop you! You had Daddy and I belly laughing at your antics, and it was just what we needed to shake off those Sunday night blahs.

snowy evening walk

We came home to decorate Valentine’s Day cupcakes. You are getting so much more precise when doing projects like this. It’s pretty remarkable to watch. Speaking of precision, I also noticed the picture you drew on our Valentine’s Day card really resembled Mickey Mouse, so when I asked you what it was a picture of, you confirmed my suspicion and proudly said, “Mickey Mouse!” Wow! I think, aside from the happy faces you’ve done, this is the first drawing that actually distinctly resembled something. And you’re not even four yet! You amaze me.

can you see Mickey's ears??
and of course, you're getting to be a pro at writing 'MALI' now

my artiste

look at what a great job you did!

We took some of our cupcakes over to the Szwabinsky’s, our first of many Valentine cupcake deliveries. Then on Monday, we headed over to Wai Gong’s after speech and delivered a few more to them. On the way home, we stopped and dropped one off for Audrey Ayi who has not been feeling well lately. She said it made her day. See how nice it is to do things for other people?

Driving home you were hungry and requested what you call a “salad burrito” (7 layer burrito) from Taco Bell, so we stopped and you insisted on going to eat in their dining room. (It’s the little things that make you so happy). On the way out, you yelled “Bye!” into their kitchen, taking the staff off guard and making them all smile at the same time. Then you wanted to ring the bell by their door, asking why people ring it, so I told you it tells the staff you liked their food. As we walked to the car, you thought about this and asked, “Can we shake our booties too?” Umm…sure, I guess you can shake your bootie to show you liked the food. (Silly kid).

Valentine’s Day was this week. One thing you will likely learn about me is that I am not a big proponent of Valentine’s Day. I guess I feel like we should all show each other how much we love one another EVERY day, not just one day of the year. However, I did see this year’s holiday as an opportunity to think of others. We already had a jump on it with our cupcake deliveries the day before. But on Valentine’s Day, we headed to Lao Lao’s work to pass some more cupcakes out to some of the people in her office who always seem to remember you on special days, and also to Ggma and Uncle Johnny’s to drop some off for them. You were so sweet and interactive, giving hugs away as soon as you walked in the door and chatting up a storm with Ggma. She even remarked that it was like night and day to spend time with you this visit. You're really growing up! While we didn’t get to make the rounds to all of the people that we love, we made it to quite a few of them. And you were so proud to put a smile on peoples’ faces with your sweet treats, reminding them of course, "Eat your dinner first!" 

our fancy cupcake boxes, packed and ready for delivery!

Ggma + Mali = Valentines

Once home, we got out of the car and you announced, "Mom! I just saw a shooting star!" (I was a bit skeptical as it was completely overcast with snow clouds, but we'll take your word for it.) So then you said, "I gotta make a wish!"...then..."I wish I'd be with my mommy all the day!" (aww) --insert my melting heart here-- You are the sweetest and I've been so thankful for your being very lovey toward Mommy lately!

you insisted on changing into my mini-me
outfit after school before making our
Valentine deliveries...hee hee

Moving right along this week...here's a Facebook status that sums up a family meal one night.
~ the old dinnertime battle over bites again :/ Mali was arguing she only wanted to take 3 more bites against our wanting her to take 5 more bites. Solution? Daddy compromised with her to take 3 bites first and then 2 more bites...Mali happily agreed, COMPLETELY thinking that she pulled one over on her silly old parents. Way to go Shawn Wilkinson! Way to outsmart the 4 year old!! We are SO using this tactic again!! ...and my comment immediately following...and NOW the "one more" thing just got us up to nine bites and counting...pure genius! I'll be so sad when she starts to do math...

Ha ha...so far, we can still pull one over on you kid! (However, I fear it's not for long. You are so smart!)

Daddy had a really rough week this week and so one night, we sat around and colored him pictures to post on the door when he got home from a really stinky day at work. They definitely helped cheer him up and it was fun to color and create with you!

not sure what they represent, but you were
adamant about drawing chipmunks, skunks, and ducks

Friday night Daddy and I had a double date night with friends. Lao Lao came over to watch you and it hit me how much you are growing up. First, you had this brilliant plan that you were cooking up while talking to Aunt Tina on the phone that afternoon, telling her, "My grandma is going to watch me and my mommy and daddy are going on a date." and then here's where the plan hits you..."I know! (turning to me) I'll keep your phone and you take Daddy's phone and then I'll call you on your date!" Ahhh, splendid! Then later, just before leaving, I was doing some last minute chatting with Lao Lao and you ever NOT so subtly were slowly closing the door on me, saying, "You gotta go Mom. You're gonna be late!" If I ever had any doubts about you being ok while Daddy and I go out together, tonight was confirmation you are just fine. You and Lao Lao had a marvelous time playing dentist, doing exercises (evidently you are now a physical trainer of some sort), watching movies, and of course, fighting sleep.

In spite of a late night, you woke up happy and went to breakfast with Memaw and Papaw at their old standby Bob Evans, then headed out to watch Sam's basketball game with Erin, Uncle Joe, Aunt Tina, and Daddy (while I finished up running and showering). At the basketball game you munched on candy with Erin and did a great job cheering for Sammy. You love those guys! At Bob Evans, you got to see one of your teachers, Ms. Beth, again. Before leaving, the manager (who we've never met before) yelled back, "Hey Beth! Mali's leaving!" You're getting to be like Norm from Cheers at this Bob Evans. Ha ha. (Oh, and that Cheers reference will completely date me, you'll have no idea what I'm talking about when you read this...so just google it).

I think I have mentioned in previous posts how you currently seem to prefer to say, "I miss you" instead of "I love you" lately. It's really been weighing on my mind, wondering why this is and if I should be more concerned about it than I am. I even brought it up to a friend at book club this week, getting her opinion on the matter as a fellow adoptive mom herself. However, this morning on your way out, you came back in to give me a big hug and kiss, saying the usual "I miss you" and then turning around at the door to add, "AND I love you!" I know, I know. It's just three simple words, but they are music to a parent's ears.

this is why I keep getting less and less room in my own bed!

We headed over to Uncle Joe and Aunt Tina's that evening, for the usual fun and laughs. You and Erin played beautifully together, making cards and crafts for us all, while the adults and Sam played cards. You and Erin even did a little tango at one point...

1, 2, cha cha cha...

You initially said you wanted to spend the night, which you attempted (for the umpteenth time), however eventually sat bolt upright in the dark and told Uncle Joe, "I need to go home"...then when I asked you what happened, you replied, "I can't fall asleep. I'm too little." You are too cute, and to tell you the truth, it's always a little hard for me when you begin to branch off from the "mama tree". I know it's good for you and independence is a positive developmental milestone...but my heart still gets a little twinge of sadness each time. Needless to say, I was more than happy to scoop you up and bring you home with us. Your sleepovers will come soon enough, before we know it. Why rush it?

Sunday morning started out leisurely with some good snuggling and back tickling in bed, then you popped up, fetched our matching kitty cat slippers, put on your mood ring (to wear a ring like Mommy), and then we headed into the kitchen to make you some eggs. We definitely needed a good breakfast for our big hike at Slate Run with Lao Lao, another in our series of winter hikes at the metro parks. It was cold but we made it, bringing the backpack this time which you thankfully catnapped in near the end of the hike.

stylin' with our sunglasses for the hike

you were adamant about getting a map

on the trail

zonked...just before warming up with some
yummy tomato soup, cookies, and cocoa

Monday was Presidents' Day, so we got a bonus weekend day. Daddy had to work, but I stayed home and woke you up to the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. You opened your eyes, smiling and laughing. We then hurried up, threw a roast in the crock pot, and got ready to take a trip to the zoo! You were excited to see the elephants, horses, and snakes. The horses (aka pony rides) weren't out so we made a pit stop at the polar bears instead. The zoo was jam-packed with other people who had the same idea as us, but we still had a blast! We ate a late lunch at Culver's on the way home and realized that we had forgotten all about the monkeys, to which you replied with a shrug and a cute little crooked smile, "That's ok!" We agreed to hit them first next time.

so excited to see the elephants first!

learning how to overcome your fear and climb this sculpture

"I did it!"

you even took some time to ride a hammerhead

After the zoo, you sat and listened to my Ipod while we got my oil changed before speech therapy. When you got to some of the songs that I put on your first annual photo DVD, you exclaimed, "Hey! That's my song from when I was a little baby!" then "That's when Uncle Zhou helped you find me...in China!" I love that you remember these particular songs and the stories that go along with them, all because we have been making you these DVD's every year, to help tell pieces of the story of your life. I love it! Making these DVD's for you is so much fun and so worth it!

You were exhausted from our big day and once home, we lay down for a nap. I made sure to tell you over and over again how much fun I had with you today and how much I love you. As we lay there, you tossed and turned for a bit, finally falling asleep after taking MY head and cradling it in YOUR arms, studying and tracing my face with your fingers and silkie. It was such a loving little gesture, and evidently just what you needed to fall asleep. That, coupled with the tons of slobbery ice-cream lipped kisses at Culver's earlier, made my entire day complete. Days like this make me wish I was a stay-at-home mom, however in reality, I think that because I'm a working mom, I appreciate the sweetness of days and moments like these all that much more. You're the best.

Love you baby.

Mama